During a rainy Sunday morning on the basketball courts at the Full Blast Recreation Center, the 10-year-old had a string of tough-luck shots roll in and out of the rim.

There were tears, a sideline pep talk from her dad and loads of encouragement from her coaches with the BC Batters, a nonprofit group that uses sports as a vehicle to enrich the lives of kids with special needs.

Stefanie King, 10, takes a shot with encouragement from Jesse Volstromer during a BC Batters basketball game at Full Blast.(Photo: Nick Buckley/The Enquirer)

As the game was nearing an end, King found herself on a breakaway. She missed the first attempt, collected the rebound and finally sent the ball through the hoop to the collective cheer of everyone on the court.

That included BC Batters' founders Nikki Asher, her brother Jesse Volstromer and his wife, Heather Volstromer, who throughout the session had shown the kids encouragement, patience and, above all else, love. And who, for their work with the organization, are 2017 George Award recipients.

"We're a close-knit group," said Jesse Volstromer. "We want to get kids together to enjoy time together. It's not about who is better. We're all about the group, but, if your kid needs individual attention, we can provide that.

"They want to be treated the same. We're here to coach them not to judge them or treat them any different."

Nikki Asher talks to the members of the BC Batters after a basketball game at Full Blast.(Photo: Nick Buckley/The Enquirer)

BC Batters is offered as a free, year-round program with no obligations. It was created in 2015 as a tee-ball program before expanding to include soccer, basketball, track and field and bowling.

"I don't think we really knew what kind of influence it would have, or if we would have somebody coming every week or not," Heather Volstromer said. "The first month was like, 'Is anybody going to show up?' We didn't have signups or have people paying to come, so you don't really know. But it kept surprising us, and we thought, 'As long as you guys keep coming every week, we'll figure something out.'"

Asher, a special needs teacher with the Calhoun Intermediate School District, said she can understand some parents' reservations about having a child with special needs join an athletic program. But inclusion is the name of the game for the BC Batters, which welcomes kids with physical, cognitive and emotional impairments while also inviting their family members to join in.

"A lot of our kids have autism and are routine driven, and they like their comforts, so on a Saturday if they don't typically leave home, then that can be a big ordeal," Asher said. "But we're all accommodating and supportive and non-judgmental. If you come and your kid is not ready for it and they become agitated, you are welcome to leave and come another time. Come when you can, leave when you need to."

Alex Quartermaine, 16, takes a shot during a BC Batters basketball game at Full Blast.(Photo: Nick Buckley/The Enquirer)

Jennifer and Art King watched the Sunday morning basketball session from the stands, offering support for their twin daughters, Stefanie and Krystyna, who they said both fall on the autism spectrum.

"They're pretty typical siblings," Art King said. "They like to do it all. Whatever activity the Batters are involved in, that's their favorite. They are just happy to be out doing this."

Jennifer King added that she has seen both of her daughters blossom socially, in large part due to their participation with the BC Batters.

"They used to not really talk with other kids much, but, the more they are out there with them, the more they are talking and interacting. So it's been really good for them," she said. "I just watch them run around and have fun."

Kaleb Quartermaine, 13, waits for a pass during a BC Batters basketball game at Full Blast.(Photo: Nick Buckley/The Enquirer)

Stefanie and Krystyna weren't the only siblings taking the court at Full Blast. They were joined by four members of the Quartermaine family: Alex, 16, Zack, 15, Kaleb, 13, and Connor, 12. After the game, the brothers were a little winded but had enough energy to show their appreciation for the BC Batters.

"Nikki, Jesse and Heather are the best," said Kaleb.

Added Connor, "They are awesome and they love us."

Nick Buckley can be reached at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter:@NickJBuckley

BC BATTERS

WHAT: A nonprofit sports organization designed for kids with special needs